RAF Shawbury team delivers football kits to children in Africa
Children in Africa are now proudly wearing Shrewsbury Town shirts thanks to a charity appeal.
The Taking Football to Africa and Beyond project is operated from the Royal Air Force base in Shawbury, and delivers football kits to third world countries.
A team of current and ex-RAF personnel recently visited Kenya to deliver items to schools and clubs in and around the capital, Nairobi.
The visit, which was completely self-funded by team members, was led by appeal co-ordinator and Wing Commander, Neil Hope.
He started the scheme back in 2006 and has seen it grow from a small appeal to now delivering to 56 counties worldwide.
Wg Cdr Hope said: "This was one of the most successful and enjoyable visits I have made to Kenya on behalf of the appeal.
"The team were superb throughout and we successfully made deliveries of over 6,000 items to 35 places across Kenya. Yet again, we had the fantastic support of Braeburn Garden Estate International School in Nairobi through its executive head, John Herbert.
"John hails from Shrewsbury and his parents still live in the town. In addition, Irene Nyambura, the executive head teacher's PA, has been fabulous in assisting the appeal through her tireless work sorting boxes ready for our visit.
"Without their continued support as well as the team at Supply at RAF Shawbury and Corporal Liam Quinn and Sergeant Sim Rezazadeh-Wilson at RAF Brize Norton, the appeal would not be the huge success it has become, and in doing so raising awareness for the RAF, RAF Football and RAF Shawbury."
Over the eight days of the visit, the team delivered kit to 35 clubs, schools and charities, and visited Africa's biggest slum where they made five deliveries.
Since its launch, the appeal has delivered close to 200,000 items, including over 56,500 football shirts, with items donated by England and the Football Association, Premier League clubs and Shrewsbury Town.
